Keep On Lobbying

January 10, 2011 - Robert "Bubba" Kapral

Bellaire School Superintendent Tony Scott has a tough job. Running a school district some $3 million in debt must be a taxing task every day. But to his credit, Scott does his job with unbridled energy and never-ending enthusiam. He has championed the cause of a 12.9-mill levy twice now. Despite his passionate stumping, the levy came up well short both times. Scott will now go to bat once again. It will be either campaigning for an 8.9-mill levy or a 1 percent income tax. The school board must decide, and soon, what direction it wants to go. Regardless of the board's choice, Scott will again spearhead promotional efforts on the much-needed funding request. There will be a greater sense of urgency this time around as the clock is ticking on the future of the Bellaire School District. Should the next funding issue get voted down, it may prove a harbinger of the district's eventual disappearance. An influx of new money is the lone answer to the budget problems. Staff cuts are no longer feasible. Reductions have reached the saturation point. More revenue is the potential life preserver. Scott needs the help of all district staffers to get the urgent message out, that being another voting less may be fatal. Scott and the campaign crusaders must enlist the public and keep them in the loop. Bridgeport schools, led by Superintendent Ted Downing, were passionate, united and high energized in successfully gaining levy passage last year. Bellaire needs to do the same.